Albatros D.III

__NOTOC__

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Albatros D.III was a highly successful single seat, sesquiplane fighter aircraft used by the German Air Service during the First World War. Manufactured by Albatros-Flugzeugwerke, it was introduced in late 1916, and though production was phased out in mid-1917, the type continued in service until the end of the war. The D.III was used by many top German aces. Manfred von Richthofen, Eric Lowenhardt, Kurt Wolfe, Karl Emil Schaeffer, and others, significantly increased their scores flying the D.III. It was the top of the line German fighter during, what the British referred to as, "Bloody April" 1917.

Related Topics:
Sesquiplane - Fighter aircraft - German Air Service - First World War - Albatros-Flugzeugwerke - 1916 - 1917 - Manfred von Richthofen - Eric Lowenhardt - Kurt Wolfe - Karl Emil Schaeffer - Bloody April

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The D.III was designed by Robert Thelen. Following on the designs of the successful Albatros D.I and D.II series, the D.III utilized the same semi-monocoque fuselage. The wings design, however, was significantly different. The upper wing was enlarged while the lower wing had reduced chord and used a single main spar. The outboard struts were of a "V" shape, which departed from the previous "N" type struts. For this reason, the D.III was commonly referred to as a "V-strutter," by the British. While the revised wing structure increased maneuverablity, it created serious problems with structural failure of the lower wing, a problem that would plague the D.III and later D.V.

Related Topics:
Robert Thelen - Albatros D.I - D.II - Monocoque - Fuselage

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The engine was an in-line 160 horsepower (119 kW) Mercedes, giving a top speed of 175 km/h (105 mph). The armament consisted of two LMG 08/15 machine guns in 7.92 mm caliber, synchronized to fire through the airscrew.

Related Topics:
LMG 08/15 - Synchronized

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~